Keighley

Keighley helpline for grooming victims makes plea for help

A telephone helpline is being launched in Keighley for parents whose daughters have been groomed for sex.

The ROSE advice and support service is being introduced after a year of preparation by trained social worker Caroline Henry.

She has recruited a small team of volunteers, who are all experienced in working with young women in crisis.

They will be available to families for two evenings each week, but Caroline hopes to expand the service with more volunteers. She is also seeking funding to ensure the long-term future of the project once her present funds run out.

Caroline said the team from ROSE – which stands for Risk of Sexual Exploitation – would provide both a listening ear and practical information.

“Child sexual exploitation affects families of all backgrounds and all sections of the community, irrespective of class, race or religion.

“A lot of parents won’t ask for help because they’re ashamed or scared of the consequences. Parents are not to blame.

“It’s a very hidden crime. It is sophisticated and planned and targeted. Some girls will get out of it but an awful lot don’t.”

Caroline said although her volunteers worked in such fields as domestic violence, social work and the probation service, ROSE was not linked to any statutory organisation and the service was confidential.

She said: “The volunteers all feel strongly that they want to be part of the solution. They want to help parents and safeguard children.”

Caroline, who as an educational social worker supported many girls who were being sexually exploited, set up ROSE because she felt there was no help available to parents of victims .

She also wanted to stop sexual exploitation being a taboo subject, raising its public profile to the same level as issues like domestic violence and drug addiction.

Caroline said that once the helpline was established, ROSE would be recruiting more volunteers, who would be provided with a training pack.

ROSE received a £2,500 grant from training organisation Aspire-i’s community fund, and Caroline raised money by walking about 200 miles along the Coast to Coast route.

There has also been support from local organisations, including Confianza, Sangat, Parents Advice Centre Keighley, Domestic Violence Services and the Keighley and Ilkley Leeds United Supporters Club.

Caroline said the money had paid for phone lines and the rent of a small office. But the funds will run out within a few months, and more is needed if the service is to expand from two nights a week.

Chief Superintendent Angela Williams, divisional commander with Airedale and North Bradford Police, said the ROSE helpline was a welcome addition to existing services.

She added: “A great deal of partnership work takes place across Bradford district to tackle issues of child sexual exploitation.

“Education and support is a vital part of our efforts. By providing an opportunity to talk, we can increase awareness of the signs and quickly identify the perpetrators.”

The ROSE helpline will be available to parents and carers from February 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm on 07860 677827 or 07860 677888. People can also make contact via the rose-keighley@mail.com e-mail address.

Comments (14)

I want to say a huge thank you to David at the K.N. for informing it's readers about R.O.S.E.. I would like to however relay that I couldn't have set ROSE up without the the volunteers who are now all part of the management team. They are an amazing team i have been so fortunate to have such experienced workers alongside me. I would also like to say that CSE affects both girls and boys, not just girls. I have been an ESW in the past but whilst been a registered SW I'm not employed within the statutory sector. In the article it relays "that whilst some girls get out of cse an awful lot don't." This is not the case. What i want is for parents / carers to ask for help early from which ever service they choose as it is easier for the child to exit sooner rather than later. The real issue for children / young people is that the longer they are groomed / abused the more it affects their overall outcomes and opportunties especially when leaving school. It is so hard for young people today as it is. It is so much harder when they've come through such an horrific experience as CSE. I'm so pleased that at long last we're starting to see perpertrators in Court. I personally feel that there is still a long way to go and that families affected by CSE need the appropriate support. They don't need to be judged and blamed. Most importantly children and young people reporting cse must be listened to and action must take place to ensure they do not continue to be abused . CSE cannot continue to be ignored. Thank you.

I want to say a huge thank you to David at the K.N. for informing it's readers about R.O.S.E.. I would like to however relay that I couldn't have set ROSE up without the the volunteers who are now all part of the management team. They are an amazing team i have been so fortunate to have such experienced workers alongside me. I would also like to say that CSE affects both girls and boys, not just girls. I have been an ESW in the past but whilst been a registered SW I'm not employed within the statutory sector. In the article it relays "that whilst some girls get out of cse an awful lot don't." This is not the case. What i want is for parents / carers to ask for help early from which ever service they choose as it is easier for the child to exit sooner rather than later. The real issue for children / young people is that the longer they are groomed / abused the more it affects their overall outcomes and opportunties especially when leaving school. It is so hard for young people today as it is. It is so much harder when they've come through such an horrific experience as CSE. I'm so pleased that at long last we're starting to see perpertrators in Court. I personally feel that there is still a long way to go and that families affected by CSE need the appropriate support. They don't need to be judged and blamed. Most importantly children and young people reporting cse must be listened to and action must take place to ensure they do not continue to be abused . CSE cannot continue to be ignored. Thank you.caroline from rose

Its implied that its not the parents fault. (kids being abused). But surely a parent should know their child well enough to realise something is wrong when it starts happening. Many parents havent a clue what their kids are up to from a very early age - and that is definitely their fault from the start. No kid deserves to be abused etc. as a result of parental neglect, but if the neglect wasnt there, the abuse would be harder to perpetrate.

Good luck with your venture.

Its implied that its not the parents fault. (kids being abused). But surely a parent should know their child well enough to realise something is wrong when it starts happening. Many parents havent a clue what their kids are up to from a very early age - and that is definitely their fault from the start. No kid deserves to be abused etc. as a result of parental neglect, but if the neglect wasnt there, the abuse would be harder to perpetrate.
Good luck with your venture.Mixter

Mixter, unfortunately in some cases the parents or carers can also be groomed into thinking these perpetrators are trustworthy individuals. Also it has to be noted that child sex exploitation happens in all walks of life and also the perpetrators can be someone the child/family knows. Your view only confirms how little is known about child sexual exploitation. Hopefully over time a better understanding by the public will be gained as more and more cases are taken to court and consequently reported on.

Mixter, unfortunately in some cases the parents or carers can also be groomed into thinking these perpetrators are trustworthy individuals. Also it has to be noted that child sex exploitation happens in all walks of life and also the perpetrators can be someone the child/family knows. Your view only confirms how little is known about child sexual exploitation. Hopefully over time a better understanding by the public will be gained as more and more cases are taken to court and consequently reported on.RealGrafter

Mixter the sexual grooming of young white girls has been happening in our town for over 10 years. Parents were crying out for help then and no one listened. Thank goodness for Ann Cryer, our MP Kris Hopkins and now ROSE. The only people who should be condemed in this are the evil men who rape young girls. I know ROSE is there to help all victims and good luck to them.

Mixter the sexual grooming of young white girls has been happening in our town for over 10 years. Parents were crying out for help then and no one listened. Thank goodness for Ann Cryer, our MP Kris Hopkins and now ROSE. The only people who should be condemed in this are the evil men who rape young girls. I know ROSE is there to help all victims and good luck to them.nannatyke

Hard as is it to say, but Mixter, is 80% correct in the analysis that parental neglect of children at an early age can imply trouble on the horizon for the siblings.

However I am also fully aware the deviousness of these evil people, can and does circumvent many parents watchfulness.

Yes Mixter, no kid deserves to be abused but it is not a new phenomena and has been a crime in all senses of the word since time began.

I have no answer, death of the perpetrator, or even emasculation, could cause an even more heinous crime.

It is not as simple as the financial corruption of politics or of banks etc., or the moral corruption of authority, including newspapers and the media in particular. (The Jimmy Saville case comes to mind and the police involvement!)

Mixter is correct, vigilance of the child from birth and parental control seem to be the only solution with which to minimize such evil

David Samuels

Hard as is it to say, but Mixter, is 80% correct in the analysis that parental neglect of children at an early age can imply trouble on the horizon for the siblings.
However I am also fully aware the deviousness of these evil people, can and does circumvent many parents watchfulness.
Yes Mixter, no kid deserves to be abused but it is not a new phenomena and has been a crime in all senses of the word since time began.
I have no answer, death of the perpetrator, or even emasculation, could cause an even more heinous crime.
It is not as simple as the financial corruption of politics or of banks etc., or the moral corruption of authority, including newspapers and the media in particular. (The Jimmy Saville case comes to mind and the police involvement!)
Mixter is correct, vigilance of the child from birth and parental control seem to be the only solution with which to minimize such evil
David Samuelssamuels david

I really understand where Mixter and David are coming from, sadly many children are abused, neglected and utterly failed by their own parents. What we want to raise via ROSE is that CSE is a unique form of abuse. Media coverage tends to always show that the children targeted by the "groomers" are children who are within the Care System. The message given is that these children are already "damaged". What many of these stories don't relay is that these children may have entered Care because of CSE. Many children become so at risk, that to safeguard them the child with the agreement of their parents is accommodated into residential unit. Away from where the abuse is taking place in an attempt to stop the child being abused. All children from all backgrounds, class and race can be targeted. ROSE is aiming to raise awareness of cse enabling parents / families to recognise the signs / behaviours of possible cse. Safeguarding children aiming to prevent CSE in the first place.

I really understand where Mixter and David are coming from, sadly many children are abused, neglected and utterly failed by their own parents. What we want to raise via ROSE is that CSE is a unique form of abuse. Media coverage tends to always show that the children targeted by the "groomers" are children who are within the Care System. The message given is that these children are already "damaged". What many of these stories don't relay is that these children may have entered Care because of CSE. Many children become so at risk, that to safeguard them the child with the agreement of their parents is accommodated into residential unit. Away from where the abuse is taking place in an attempt to stop the child being abused. All children from all backgrounds, class and race can be targeted. ROSE is aiming to raise awareness of cse enabling parents / families to recognise the signs / behaviours of possible cse. Safeguarding children aiming to prevent CSE in the first place.caroline from rose

i would like to ask why would it be the parents are to blame? yes there are the cases where parents can not simply be bothered with there children ie out of sight is a good thing, but what in the cases where a child/teenager becomes groomed through no fault of the parent? you can love your child with every fibre in your body but unless you are willing to lock your child up 24/7 and attend school every single day with them, there is simply no way of knowing your child is becoming involved in such an appalling case of abuse, to say it is the parents who are to blame is absoloutly ludicrous

i would like to ask why would it be the parents are to blame? yes there are the cases where parents can not simply be bothered with there children ie out of sight is a good thing, but what in the cases where a child/teenager becomes groomed through no fault of the parent? you can love your child with every fibre in your body but unless you are willing to lock your child up 24/7 and attend school every single day with them, there is simply no way of knowing your child is becoming involved in such an appalling case of abuse, to say it is the parents who are to blame is absoloutly ludicrouslogin123

Brilliant project ! It is just a shame that the spineless fools whos own fear of being branded racist left our most vulnerable youngsters to be used as meat by the 'untouchable' gangs who have prowled like sharks on our streets for so long. I wonder if any of the 'pillars of our community' will ever have the courage to apologise publically for the slanderous verbal battering that Counciller Ann Cryer recieved when she had the courage to stand up and say 'this is happening, and it must stop' I very much doubt it.
West Yorkshire Police have abandoned these children for too long and allowed their torturers the freedom of our town.
It is Time for change.

Brilliant project ! It is just a shame that the spineless fools whos own fear of being branded racist left our most vulnerable youngsters to be used as meat by the 'untouchable' gangs who have prowled like sharks on our streets for so long. I wonder if any of the 'pillars of our community' will ever have the courage to apologise publically for the slanderous verbal battering that Counciller Ann Cryer recieved when she had the courage to stand up and say 'this is happening, and it must stop' I very much doubt it.
West Yorkshire Police have abandoned these children for too long and allowed their torturers the freedom of our town.
It is Time for change.Wendlejames

The ‘untouchable’ gangs you speak of, were unfortunately, one would hope, a thing of the past, however I would have to say that even today West Yorkshire Police does not inspire me with any confidence.

Maybe a lack of good management, money and resources or possibly, they may take the easy way out and have or had decided that by ‘cozying’ up to the ‘authorities’ in charge, whether it be of a political or a presumed religious mandate, any ‘problem’, by keeping it silent would disappear.

Obviously, in my view, such a policy, has always been an illusion, as time after time truth will out and the longer the problem is hidden, like an illness, it will unravel and while the problem can become soluble, the results of putting it right becomes extremely messy.

No 'pillars of our community' will ever apologize as arrogance and misguided ego would never allow for admitting any mistakes.

The ‘spineless fools’ you talk about are at present still in charge and until public apathy wakes up, then those ‘spineless fools’ will carry on as before.

That ‘Wendlejames’ is the way things were and will always be!

David Samuels

Wendlejames:
The ‘untouchable’ gangs you speak of, were unfortunately, one would hope, a thing of the past, however I would have to say that even today West Yorkshire Police does not inspire me with any confidence.
Maybe a lack of good management, money and resources or possibly, they may take the easy way out and have or had decided that by ‘cozying’ up to the ‘authorities’ in charge, whether it be of a political or a presumed religious mandate, any ‘problem’, by keeping it silent would disappear.
Obviously, in my view, such a policy, has always been an illusion, as time after time truth will out and the longer the problem is hidden, like an illness, it will unravel and while the problem can become soluble, the results of putting it right becomes extremely messy.
No 'pillars of our community' will ever apologize as arrogance and misguided ego would never allow for admitting any mistakes.
The ‘spineless fools’ you talk about are at present still in charge and until public apathy wakes up, then those ‘spineless fools’ will carry on as before.
That ‘Wendlejames’ is the way things were and will always be!
David Samuelssamuels david

We live in a society where anything goes, political correctness is the order of the day, one can even be in trouble for having religious principles, or ejecting a burglar off your property, the criminal gets a slap on the wrist, you could face jail.

These left wing liberal fanatics have wrecked this country, and until we get a firm government, ( pigs might fly first ) that will stand up for the law abiding citizen, no decent person will be safe. Jail the perverts, make our streets safe, or things will get worse before better.

As an example watch these Muppet's on B.B.C. Question Time, spineless and gutless politicians. Only one politician makes any sense, the leader of UKIP. who tells it as it is,

We live in a society where anything goes, political correctness is the order of the day, one can even be in trouble for having religious principles, or ejecting a burglar off your property, the criminal gets a slap on the wrist, you could face jail.
These left wing liberal fanatics have wrecked this country, and until we get a firm government, ( pigs might fly first ) that will stand up for the law abiding citizen, no decent person will be safe. Jail the perverts, make our streets safe, or things will get worse before better.
As an example watch these Muppet's on B.B.C. Question Time, spineless and gutless politicians. Only one politician makes any sense, the leader of UKIP. who tells it as it is,cronk stanley

You are correct on the Question Time thing Stan but don't forget the programme is actually a "show" which is rigged by the BBC in the first palce to please the trendy Wendy PC brigade which the Beeb panders to.
The audience are hand picked to applaud whenever they are told to and the "panel' has to be a mix of again chosen commentators who are briefed up front on what they can and cannot say.

You are correct on the Question Time thing Stan but don't forget the programme is actually a "show" which is rigged by the BBC in the first palce to please the trendy Wendy PC brigade which the Beeb panders to.
The audience are hand picked to applaud whenever they are told to and the "panel' has to be a mix of again chosen commentators who are briefed up front on what they can and cannot say.Stevo54

I would agree with you, except on one small point, and also partly with Stevo54.

My own view is that UKIP professional politicians are just as self seeking, corrupt and immoral as all the other political parties, from the far right to the far left.

Paedophilia, is obviously a horrific and obnoxious abomination, and is one of a number of immoral sexual and unacceptable acts that mankind has had to live with from time immemorial.

Its immorality is not just confined to one particular colour, race, religious class, political outlook, or social group, but is known be an everlasting evil.

Over the years, media outlets, many well meaning groups, such as ROSE, (Risk of Sexual Exploitation) political grandees, people of high and low standing prominence have stood up and condemned paedophilia as an ever increasing situation of such an corruptible and ignorable abuse in society.

All have failed! A radical rethink of our Criminal Law and is needed, if these shameful sexual abominations are to be reduced.

It needs newspapers, local and national, to lead the way, and from my personal experience, unless it makes money no commercial newspaper, local or national these days will touch the subject.

Not many newspapers are willing to back the public against malfeasance, political or otherwise, afraid of losing revenue to those in charge of advertising budgets, and so they make a commercial mistake.

They can’t see that standing by the public a huge credibly and respect ensures a greater readership.

In my view bad public relations is bad management created by not listening to your readers.

Paedophilia and other such evil situations will continue!

Prove me wrong!

David Samuels

cronk stanley.
Regarding paedophilia.
I would agree with you, except on one small point, and also partly with Stevo54.
My own view is that UKIP professional politicians are just as self seeking, corrupt and immoral as all the other political parties, from the far right to the far left.
Paedophilia, is obviously a horrific and obnoxious abomination, and is one of a number of immoral sexual and unacceptable acts that mankind has had to live with from time immemorial.
Its immorality is not just confined to one particular colour, race, religious class, political outlook, or social group, but is known be an everlasting evil.
Over the years, media outlets, many well meaning groups, such as ROSE, (Risk of Sexual Exploitation) political grandees, people of high and low standing prominence have stood up and condemned paedophilia as an ever increasing situation of such an corruptible and ignorable abuse in society.
All have failed! A radical rethink of our Criminal Law and is needed, if these shameful sexual abominations are to be reduced.
It needs newspapers, local and national, to lead the way, and from my personal experience, unless it makes money no commercial newspaper, local or national these days will touch the subject.
Not many newspapers are willing to back the public against malfeasance, political or otherwise, afraid of losing revenue to those in charge of advertising budgets, and so they make a commercial mistake.
They can’t see that standing by the public a huge credibly and respect ensures a greater readership.
In my view bad public relations is bad management created by not listening to your readers.
Paedophilia and other such evil situations will continue!
Prove me wrong!
David Samuelssamuels david

Someone mentioned that its just evil men who rape these kids!
Wrong!!
There are women who do these things yet its looked upon somehow as a lesser crime!!
The only way this can be stopped is:
A: Life sentence for ALL sex crimes
B: Chemical castration for male abusers.

Of course this will never happen in this country of political correctness.

But, well done on this venture and hopefully people will help it to prosper!

Someone mentioned that its just evil men who rape these kids!
Wrong!!
There are women who do these things yet its looked upon somehow as a lesser crime!!
The only way this can be stopped is:
A: Life sentence for ALL sex crimes
B: Chemical castration for male abusers.
Of course this will never happen in this country of political correctness.
But, well done on this venture and hopefully people will help it to prosper!Shauny-Boy